Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has donated 100,000 trees to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam.
The acting vice chancellor of the university, Prof Kate Omenugha disclosed this during a press conference to unveil the forthcoming Climate Change Summit and Tree Planting Awareness Campaign organised by the institution.
Omenugha said the summit which is slated for July 17th, 2024 will be marked with tree planting, with several individuals, including the alumni association of the university donating trees.
She said the university plans to plant one million trees within one year, and that the exercise was geared towards supporting the administration of Prof Soludo, which has been been canvasing for greener environment.
She said: “Every tree planted is a step towards a brighter future. Let us unite in this noble cause and spread the word – one tree at a time!
“We are keying into our governor’s vision of making Anambra a clean and healthy environment. The governor has donated over 100,000 trees to the university.
“We have several partners who have also donated varying numbers of trees which we will plant as part of the summit.
“The tree-planting project will nurture a healthy living environments for staff, students and the entire University community in general.
“The initiative to plant trees is a new endeavor to the university. The institution is fully prepared to partnered with Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and several other stakeholders in both private and government establishments in ensuring that there is an apparent increase in school tree planting, with the intent of sequestering carbon and reversing climate change.”
The Vice Chancellor said as part of the university’s quest to foster green environment, the university will after the summit design an undertaking for students on refuse disposal to ensure environmental friendliness.
She said the tree planting exercise would be kicked off by Francis Cardinal Arinze, while other prominent individuals will also plant trees.
